The Emmy Nominations: Who Got Shafted?

Like death, taxes and fake "Jersey Shore" drama, abominable injustice at the Emmys is incredibly predictable, and this year is no different. From the "Community" lockout to the ridiculous snub of our man Ron Swanson, the nomination process felt a little like the World Cup site nomination process - fraught with travesty and weirdly political decisions

Here are our top five fails from the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards nominations:

1. "Community"

One of the most consistently funny, interesting and formally inventive shows on TV, Community should have been a lock on an Emmy nomination. From its genre-bending episodes taking on spaghetti westerns and zombie films to the hilarious work of Joel McHale and Danny Pudi, it’s a reason to care about network TV. But how much love did “Community” get? Zilch. Even in the Lead Actor, Comedy category, two spots went to the marginally funny “The Big Bang Theory” and actors Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki. Seriously guys? How about throwing Pudi’s Abed a bone? Nope? Bogus.

2. No Charlie Sheen?!

While Jon Cryer picked up a nomination for the work he did on “Two and a Half Men,” Charlie Sheen was nowhere to be seen on the nomination list or even on the ballot. Truth be told, Sheen and “Two and a Half Men” as a series kind of hosed themselves in this department. They failed to submit for consideration, even after being given an extension to do so. Guess Charlie’s not so keen on “winning” after all.

3. “The Walking Dead”

Given the six episode initial series run for this AMC gem, I suppose it’s not too surprising it didn’t get any nods. But the acting, production values and plain ol’ zombie ass-kickin’ good times “The Walking Dead” brought to the screen made for some seriously riveting appointment television. Was the teen football drama “Friday Night Lights” a better show? Are you f%^&ing kidding me?

4. "Justified"

"Justified" star Margo Martindale picked up a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Drama, and Timothy Olyphant was nominated in the insanely competitive Best Actor, Drama category. Yet the series wasn’t apparently up to snuff in the Outstanding Dramatic Series category. Not that I’d expect Justified to win, but it’s a much better option than “Friday Night Lights,” which can’t even hold the jockstrap of insanely good shows like “Mad Men” and “Dexter.”

5. No Ron Swanson?!

This is really where the rubber meets the road. Leaving Nick Offerman, aka Ron Swanson from "Parks & Recreation” off this ballot is an affront to common decency, to manhood, to being American, damnit. With the exception of Kenny Powers of "Eastbound and Down," no single character in comedy this last year was as pee-your pants funny as Offerman's Ron Swanson. It’s nearly enough to make me want to shave my moustache in protest, but maybe I'll just go eat some meat instead.